Syria's Western-backed political opposition group, the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces has elected a new leader widely seen as not tied to the body's international sponsors.
Khaled Khoja was elected president in a close vote late Sunday night during a three day meeting of the National Coalition in Istanbul, where it is based.
Khoja, a 49-year old Damascus-born doctor and businessman, won 56 votes out of 106 votes. The 111-member body also elected a new secretary general and vice presidents.